Bottom structure for skis



July 4, 1967 H. E. HOLMBERG ETAL 3,329,437

BOTTOMl STRUCTURE FOR SKIS Filed March l0, 1965 3v vm. ww wN QM a mNm m MNM N ,mf

.NuvmlNlrml United States Patent O ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An edge member extends along each side of the ski. Each member has a pair of upper and lower horizontal flanges plus a downwardly projecting flange as well as an upwardly projecting flange. A sheet has its marginal portions -crimped in between the horizontal flanges. The downwardly extending anges have a running `sheet extending therebetween, whereas -the upwardly directed ilanges serve las a seal for the body of the ski contained therebetween.

This invention relates generally to skis, and pertains more particularly to a bottom structure therefor having channeled running edges.

One object of the invention is to provide a ski bottom having a simplified construction. In this regard, attention is directed to our previously-issued Patent No. 3,145,998, granted Aug. 25, 1964. While our patented bottom structure for `skis has met with a high degree of success, nonetheless considerable care must be exercised in the manufacture of such a ski. This care is needed largely because the running edges are welded in place and the welding heat produces objectionable distortion unless lcertain safeguarding techniques are practiced. The present invention has for an aim the elimination of heat generation and the accompanying likelihood of distortion that can result therefrom. Consequently, the prese-nt invention envisions a ski that will have -a number of the desired attributes present in the ski structure described in out above-mentioned -Patent No. l3,145,998 but which can be fabricated at a lower cost than our patented ski due to its simpler construction.

The invention has for a specific object the provision of a channeled or grooved running edge construction that may be crimped, pressed or rolled onto the sheet or strip to which the edges are to be attached, thereby appreciably reducing the time and effort required to fabricate the ski. Actually, the running edges may be anchored to such sheet or strip prior to assembling the remaining parts. Consequently, the fabrication can 'be done in stages, if desired, and at different locations within the factory, thereby making more eicient use of available facilities and plant equipment.

Another object of the invention is to allow to a large extent the employment of conventional ski fabrication techniques. In this regard, it is planned that certain parts be adhesively bonded together as previously done, it being specically contemplated that the edge be crimped or rolled so as to etect its securement to the horizontal steel sheet that allows the running edges to be prefabricated as a unit prior to assembly into the composite ski construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide -a bottom structure for skis that will permit the running edges to be easily offset from the sides of the upper portion of the ski, thereby facilitating the subsequent sharpening of the edges when it is necessary to do so.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a channeled running edge which extends along each side 3,329,437 Patented July 4, 1967 of the ski which can be either continuous or segmented, segmented edges being generally less expensive.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a ski coustructed in accordance with the teachings of our invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional View taken in the direction of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is la perspective view of the elongated sheet or strip having the running edges pressed thereon, and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view corresponding generally to the construction shown in FIGURE 2 but illustrating a still simpler embodiment constituting the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, FIGURE 1 shows a ski 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. It will be observed that t-he upper portion or structure of the ski 10 has been generally labeled 12. Conventionally, the upper structure 12 includes core material 14, preferably spaced so as to provide a medial void as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The upper structure 12 further includes la t-op panel 16 of phenolic liber which can be bonded by means of a suitable adhe-sive to the top surfaces of the core material 14. Similarly, side panels 18 of phenolic liber are adhered to the sides of the core material 14. Actually, the upper structure 12 may vary considerably with respect to its constructional makeup, the parts above described being only exemplary.

The bottom structure of the ski 10 has been indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. The channeled steel running edges 22 at each side of the ski 10 are configured so as to provide an upper horizontal flange 24, a lower horizontal ange 26 yand a horizontal groove 28 therebetween. Also, as clearly visible in FIGURE 2, there is a downwardly extending flange 30 and an upwardly extending flange 32. The channeled running edges 22 can be formed either by machining or extruding.

, At this time, attention is called to the use of an elongated steel -sheet 34 having perforations at 36 with intervening bridging portions 38 that are centrally humped at 40. The marginal side portions of the steel sheet 34 are Ireceived in the grooves 28 and the flanges 24, 26 are crimped or otherwise pressed tightly against these marginal portions in order to secure the channeled running edges 22 to the sheet 34. By so attaching the edges 22, it will be appreciated that no heat distortion exists during the fabrication of the bottom structure 20, for no |welding is required.

With the exception of the channeled running edges 22 and the elongated sheet 34, the bottom structure 20 is susceptible to certain changes. yIn this regard, an upper strip 42 is interposed between the flanges 24, overlying the sheet 34. This upper strip 42 may be of metal or it may be ,a glass -tlber laminate. In any event, the strip 42 is easily bonded to the underside of the core material 14 and to the upper surface of the sheet 34. Similarly, a lower strip 44 which can be of metal or a glass fiber laminate is adhesively bonded to the lower surface of the sheet 34, the lower strip 44 extending between the horizontal flanges 26. Thus, it should be evident that the strength of the bottom structure 20 is based for the most part upon the sheet 34 and the mode of attaching the running edges 22. However, the adherement of the strips 42, 44 contribute to the over-all strength of the bottom structure 20. Furthermore, the presence of the upwardly directed flanges 32, which can be adhesively bonded to the side panels 18, assist in preventing the entrance of moisture into the region between the core material 14 and the flanges 24 and the strip 42.

It will be discerned that the downwardly extending anges 30 provide a shallow recess or cavity in which a suitable material, such as a wax modified polyethylene, can be molded or bonded, this running sheet having been indicated by the reference numeral `46. As is conventional, a tracking groove 48 extends longitudinally of the bottom surface of the running sheet 46 and the laminates disposed above can be yconfigured accordingly. Actually, it is preferable that the humped regions 40 be eliminated and vspaces provided in the manner shown in our Patent No. 3,145,998. However, by utilizing the bridging portions 38 which are connected together by reason of the humped sections 40, a unitary sheet 34 is provided and the illustration thereof in FIGURE 3 is rendered somewhat simplified. Of course, it should be appreciated that the term Sheet as referred to in conjunction With the member 34 may be composed of two halves and the term is to be construed in this light.

As pointed out above, the presence of the upwardly directed flange 32 provides a sealing medium against the entrance of moisture and also adds to some extent to the strength of the lover-all ski. In this embodiment, the anges 32 receive the upper portion of the lski 10- therebetween. However, it is not -absolutely essential that the fianges 32 be provided, and for this `reason the modification pictured in FIGURE 4 has been presented. This figure differs from FIGURE 2 due to the omission of the ange 32.' Hence, the bottom structure has been designated generally by the reference numeral 20a and the channeled running edges as 22a. The other parts are the same, as can be readily perceived from `a comparison of FIGURES 2 and 4. Therefore, it is not believed necessary to describe in further detail the modification illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Having presented the foregoing information, it is believed evident that the benefits to be derived from a practicing of the instant invention are appreciable. Not only is the :sheet due to welding avoided, but the unit shown in FIGURE 3 can be yprefabricated and assembled into the composite or over-all ski construction when the final assembly is undertaken.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be prnade in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of our invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a laminated ski, a bottom structure therefor comprising an elongated sheet, and running edge means extending along each side of said sheet having upper a-nd lower flanges forming a horizontal groove therebetween, the side marginal portions of said sheet extending into said groove and said anges being crimped thereagainst to secure said edge means to said sheet, each of said edge means also having a downwardly projecting iiange, and running -sheet means bonded to the lower face of said rst sheet and extending laterally between said downwardly projecting anges.

2. A ski having a bottom structure as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said edge means has an upwardly projecting flange, said upwardly projecting flanges being adapted to receive therebetween the upper portion of the ski.

3. In a laminated ski, a bottom structure therefor cornprising fa first elongated sheet, respective running edge means extending along each side of said sheet having upper and lower flanges forming a horizontal groove therebetween, and also having a downwardly extending flange of lesser width than said upper and lower flanges, the -side marginal portions of said rst sheet extending into the groove of each edge means and secured therein, a second sheet bonded to the lower face of said first sheet and extending between the said lower flanges, and a thi-rd sheet bonded to the lower face of said second sheet and extending laterally between said downwardly projecting iianges, the bottom of said third sheet providing a running surface.

4. A ski having a bottom structure as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said edge means has an upwardly projecting flange, said upwardly projecting flanges being adapted to receive therebetween the upper portion of the ski.

5. A ski having a bottom structure as set forth in claim 3 in which said upper and lower flanges are crimped against said first sheet to secure said edge -means to said first sheet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,998 8/1964 Holmberg et al. 280-11.13

3,198,535 8/1965 Bro'wn 28o-11.13

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,299,263 6/1962 France.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

MILTON L. SMITH, Examiner. 

1. IN A LAMINATED SKI, A BOTTOM STRUCTURE THEREFOR COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SHEET, AND RUNNING EDGE MEANS EXTENDING ALONG EACH SIDE OF SAID SHEET HAVING UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES FORMING A HORIZONTAL GROOVE THEREBETWEEN, THE SIDE MARGINAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEET EXTENDING INTO SAID GROOVE AND SAID FLANGES BEING CRIMPED THEREAGAINST TO SECURE SAID EDGE MEANS TO SAID SHEET, EACH OF SAID SHEET MEANS ALSO HAVING A DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE, AND RUNNING SHEET MEANS BONDED TO THE LOWER FACE OF SAID FIRST SHEET AND EXTENDING LATERALLY BETWEEN SAID DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGES. 